Regional races could bring 400-plus runners

Colfax will be host to an estimated 400 to 470 college runners Friday when WSU hosts the NCAA Western Regional cross country races at the Colfax Golf Course.

The event is expected to be approximately twice the size of the Pac-12 Conference race which was at the golf course here four years ago, according to Ben Clark, assistant WSU athletic director for special events.

Clark said WSU landed the regional through a competitive bid process. He noted the Colfax Golf course site proved successful for the Pac-12 race, and they have continued to offer the site in subsequent bid rounds.

Work started earlier this year to prepare the course with the removal of a tree and extension of bridge crossing to accommodate the large entry.

The regional run includes schools up and down the west coast. Clark said they expect women entrants from 37 schools and men from 30 schools.

The women’s race start is slated for 11:30 a.m, and the men’s race at 12:30 p.m.

Entry to the regional is open so schools can be expected to bring runners who they believe can qualify for the national final which will be at Terre Haute, Ind.

The top 25 finishers in each race will qualify for the nationals.

The regional here will follow the Pac-12 race which was in Corvallis, Ore., two weeks ago.

Actual size of the race will depend on how many schools will send teams of seven and how many will opt to just send their top runners.

Clark expects the race here will have more women entrants because more schools are on the entry list for that race.

Large tents were place on the grounds at the start of the week and the course was marked out. Trustees from Airway Heights were expected to mark out the entire course with pennant streamers Wednesday.

The Colfax course will be two kilometers. The women’s race will be three laps, and the men’s race will be five laps.

Admission to the event will be free. Parking for the public will be at McDonald Park and the soccer fields.

Clark said he plans to continue to submit bids for WSU races at Colfax. The flat course allows spectators to see most of the course, and it accommodates television crews.

Colfax Golf Club Manager Craig Gronning said they anticipate the runners, coaches and officials along with race fans could total about 1,500 Friday.